Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alaska?

No (for home education by a parent or guardian, the option most families use). Alaska doesn't require a notice of intent for this option. If your child is enrolled in a public school, withdraw them in writing first.

What subjects do I have to teach in Alaska?

Alaska doesn't set a required subject list (for home education by a parent or guardian, the option most families use). Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.

What records should I keep when homeschooling in Alaska?

None required (keeping attendance, coursework, and a transcript is recommended in case you re-enroll in school or apply to college).

How to homeschool in Alaska

No notice requiredChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

Alaska is one of the least regulated states: a parent or legal guardian teaching their own child at home does not have to notify anyone, test, or meet any teacher requirements. Families who prefer more structure can instead run or join a religious or private school (annual filings, 180 days, testing in grades 4, 6 and 8) or enroll in a public correspondence program.

Homeschooling in Alaska at a glance: no notice of intent required; instruction time: not specified; no required subject list; testing: none required.

Option 1: Home education by a parent or guardian

The option most families use.

Home education by a parent or guardian · AS 14.30.010(b)(12)

Compulsory attendance does not apply to a child "being educated in the child's home by a parent or legal guardian." There is no notice, approval, testing, subject list, or teacher qualification.

Notice: Not required.
Instruction time: Not specified.
Records to keep: None required (keeping attendance, coursework, and a transcript is recommended in case you re-enroll in school or apply to college).
Testing / evaluation: None required.
Parent qualifications: None.

Checklist

Withdraw your child from their current school in writing (if enrolled): before you start homeschooling.
Keep basic records of courses and progress (recommended): ongoing.

Option 2: Religious or other private school

Religious or other private school · AS 14.30.010(b)(1)(C); AS 14.45.100–14.45.200

A home-based religious or private school (one that takes no direct state or federal funding) that complies with AS 14.45.100–130 is exempt from most education laws. It carries the most paperwork of Alaska's options.

Notice: Send to: the local public school district superintendent (not the Department of Education).
When: each school year; HSLDA advises filing by the first day of public school.
How often: annually.
How: the state's Enrollment Reporting Form, signed by the parent and the school's chief administrative officer, returned to the superintendent by the parent.
Instruction time: At least 180 days a year on a regular schedule (excluding reasonable holidays and vacations).
Records to keep: Monthly attendance records for each student.
Permanent records of immunizations, physical examinations, standardized testing, academic achievement, and courses taken.
Alaska Performance Scholarship eligibility level.
Standardized test results (available to parents; composite results available to the Department on request).
Testing / evaluation: A nationally standardized achievement test covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and math, given at least once a year in grades 4, 6, and 8.
Parent qualifications: None.
Also: Report enrollment by grade and the school calendar to the Department of Education & Early Development each year (enrollment as of October 1, due by October 15).
Certify to the Department, under oath, that the required permanent records are kept (Affidavit of Compliance, filed the first year the school registers).
File a corporal punishment policy with the Department if the school has children from more than one family.
Follow state laws on immunization, physical examinations, health, fire safety, and sanitation, and the missing-children provisions of AS 14.30.700–720.
Notify the superintendent within a reasonable time if a child leaves the school.

Official form: DEED Form 05-17-022: Enrollment Reporting Form (religious or other private school)

What the notice must include

Student's legal name.
Address.
Date of birth and grade.
School the student will attend.
Signature of the school's chief administrative officer.
Signature of the parent or guardian.

Checklist

File the Enrollment Reporting Form with your local superintendent: each year, by the start of the public school year.
Send the enrollment report and school calendar (plus Affidavit of Compliance in year one) to DEED: by October 15 each year.
Keep monthly attendance records showing 180 days: ongoing.
Give a nationally standardized achievement test: each year in grades 4, 6, and 8.

Option 3: Tutoring by a certified teacher

Tutoring by a certified teacher · AS 14.30.010(b)(1)(B)

A child taught by a tutor holding an Alaska teaching certificate is exempt from public school attendance.

Notice: Not required.
Testing / evaluation: None specified.
Parent qualifications: Tutor must be certificated under AS 14.20.020 (Alaska teaching certificate).

Checklist

Confirm your tutor holds a current Alaska teaching certificate: before tutoring begins.

Option 4: School board-approved educational experience

School board-approved educational experience · AS 14.30.010(b)(11)

A child may be excused if the school board approves an educational experience as serving the child equally well. The parent requests the excuse in writing and the principal or administrator of the child's school must approve it.

Notice: Send to: the principal or administrator of the school the child attends.
When: before the child stops attending.
How often: as the approval specifies.
How: written request from the parent or guardian.

Checklist

Submit a written request describing the educational plan to the school's principal: before withdrawing.
Get the written approval/excuse and keep it: before withdrawing.

Option 5: Public correspondence (homeschool) program

Public correspondence (homeschool) program · AS 14.30.010(b)(10)(B)

Many Alaska families homeschool through a district or statewide correspondence program approved by the Department. These are public school programs with their own enrollment, planning, and testing rules, and they may provide an allotment for approved expenses.

Notice: Send to: the correspondence program you enroll in.
When: at enrollment.
How: the program's enrollment process.

Checklist

Enroll in an approved correspondence program and follow its rules: before the school year or as the program allows.

Leaving a public school

Alaska law does not set a withdrawal procedure for homeschooling. Notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool and keep a copy.

Common questions about homeschooling in Alaska

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alaska?: No (for home education by a parent or guardian, the option most families use). Alaska doesn't require a notice of intent for this option. If your child is enrolled in a public school, withdraw them in writing first.
What subjects do I have to teach in Alaska?: Alaska doesn't set a required subject list (for home education by a parent or guardian, the option most families use). Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.
How many days or hours of homeschool does Alaska require?: Not specified.
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Alaska?: None required.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Alaska?: None.
What records should I keep when homeschooling in Alaska?: None required (keeping attendance, coursework, and a transcript is recommended in case you re-enroll in school or apply to college).

Worth double-checking

Compulsory school age is 7 to 16. A 6-year-old enrolled in first grade becomes subject to attendance rules, but may be withdrawn within 60 days of enrolling.
The October 15 DEED deadline and the four-form packet for private/religious schools (Affidavit of Compliance, Corporal Punishment Policy, Enrollment form, School Calendar) come from DEED's guidance as summarized by HSLDA and other secondary sources; we could not open DEED's private school page directly. Confirm the current packet with DEED before filing.
AS 14.45.110 requires the parent's enrollment notice annually but does not set a date; filing by the first day of public school is HSLDA's guidance.
Correspondence program allotments were challenged in court; in June 2024 the Alaska Supreme Court reversed a ruling that had struck down the allotment statutes, leaving the program in place but allowing case-by-case challenges to specific spending. Check with your program for current allotment rules.

Sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.